rewrite proposal

3.1    General Approach

This section will describe the proposed plan of action for completing the project.  The work has been broken down into phases which must be completed in order for the project to finish on schedule and on budget.

3.1.1        Phase I – Project Research

This phase is when the team will collect information on the background of the project and potential solutions.

A - The team will evaluate the current state of the Proof of Concept device built in the Spring of 2015.

B - The team will research the types of processors and I/O devices available which will meet the project requirements.

C - The team will evaluate the devices found and select the top three for further review and testing.

3.1.2        Phase II – Conceptual Design Development

The phase is when the team will develop the proposed solutions.

A - The team will utilize the research done to develop 3-5 different options for circuit design which will utilize the ideal processor and components selected.

3.1.3        Phase III – Design Selection and Analysis.  

This phase is when the team will analyze the proposed designs to determine the best one.

A - The team will create a design matrix to determine which option is ideal for the purposes of this project.

B - The team will present the top design, as well as the alternatives, to the customer for review prior to ordering components and beginning to build and test the device.

3.1.4        Phase IV – Build the Prototype

This phase is when the team will construct the prototype.

A - The team will build the selected design testing each component individually as they are installed to ensure the highest quality prototype possible.

3.1.5        Phase V – Test/Evaluate the Design

This phase is when the team will test the design for functionality and accuracy.

A - The team will test and evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of the prototype by installing the device into a working vehicle.

**Due to testing occurring in November/December in the Midwest, heat extremes will be tested by maximizing the vehicle’s internal heating system and/or applying a direct heat source to the temperature sensor of the device.**

3.3.2        Design Requirements

The SOS Alarm Device is intended to be produced as an aftermarket device and as such needs to be easy to install by the everyday consumer or inexpensive to install at the consumer’s local auto repair shop.  The device should be smaller than a 3in x 3in x 3in cube in order to be an unobtrusive addition to the vehicle.  It must include a mode through which the consumer can test that the device is working after installation as well as periodically throughout the life of the device.  The processor within the device must be capable of accessing remote I/O such as a temperature sensor, a weight sensor, a CO2 sensor, and the vehicle computer for access to door unlocking mechanisms as well as for setting off the vehicle’s alarm and lights as the SOS alert.

3.3.3        Design Criteria

The designed device must be easy to use and unobtrusive in the size and manner of its installation.  This means that it needs to be able to be set up, installed, and used by an average person with absolutely no technical background.  It needs to have clear concise instructions and require no programming by the end user.  The device must also be small enough and/or installed in a location where its presence will not impede driver vision during vehicle operation.  It should be small enough that it can be installed in a location where it will be hidden from sight, as this will prevent tampering whether by accident or intentionally.  It must also accurately sense life in extreme temperatures and quickly trigger the alarms to alert anyone nearby of the danger present.